Tom Brake

Last night, instead of opposing the government, the Labour party clocked off early for Christmas and failed to back a Lib Dem Amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Last night our effort to enshrine in law a vote on the final Brexit deal was defeated by the Conservatives after Labour failed to show up. The Lib Dem amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, if it had been passed, would have seen the people have a final say on the deal Theresa May brought back from Brussels.

These are empty, hypocritical words from Theresa May. EU citizens, many in a state of panic, who have already waited 15 months to have their rights protected, will be deeply disappointed.

The only acceptable solution is for the agreement on citizenship rights to be ring-fenced, giving both EU citizens here and British citizens in the EU, the peace of mind that, no matter what happens in the rest of the negotiations, their lives will be prioritised and protected.

If citizens' rights really are her first priority, the prime minister should immediately agree to separate them out, and openly challenge the other EU leaders to agree.

"The Lib Dems will work with any party to stop a 'No Deal' scenario and would vote against a No Deal outcome in Parliament. 'No Deal' would mean ports at a standstill with ferries unable to unload and load, aircraft stranded at airports and manufacturers operating 'Just in Time' production reduced to 'Never on Time'.

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, has tabled a number of FOI requests calling on the Department for Exiting the European Union to publish the studies. He has also called for a debate on the cost of Brexit and the content of the reports in the House of Commons.

This government's internal battles are weakening their hand in Europe. Every report of a Cabinet split destabilises our negotiating team and strengthens the position of the EU negotiators.

There is a chronic lack of anything positive coming out of these talks. Both sides share blame for the deadlock and both sides will be harmed if Britain crashes out of the EU with no deal.

But there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel with Tusk's suggestion of possible trade talks in December. This is the signal for the UK government to make a convincing offer on EU citizens' rights, the financial settlement and provide clarity over the Northern Ireland border.